Shield’s over for O’Keefe
FORMER Test spinner Stephen O’Keefe’s first-class career is over after he became a shock omission from the NSW player contract list for next summer.
O’Keefe confirmed his retirement from Sheffield Shield yesterday but said he would continue playing in the Big Bash League for the Sydney Sixers.
The left-arm tweaker played nine Tests for Australia and took 35 wickets, including 12 in a match to beat India in Pune in 2017. The 35-year-old also took 16 wickets at 22.25 for NSW as they won the Sheffield Shield last summer, the most scalps of any spinner in the competition.
Despite no obvious other spin options when Nathan Lyon is unavailable through Test duties, O’Keefe was told he would not be retained.
O’Keefe said he was disappointed but accepted the decision.
“It’s been such a privilege to play for my country and captain my state, but above everything else I’m most proud to have played alongside some of the best blokes I’ve ever met,” he said.
“When I think about my time playing cricket, that’s what I’ll miss most.”
NSW’s only other real spin option this summer was youngster Jason Sangha, but he only bowled two overs in the red-ball competition. The Blues could now be forced to look elsewhere for a spinner, or take a punt on a nonestablished player.
O’Keefe has battled calf injuries in recent years, but still looked as if he could continue playing for longer. He will finish his firstclass career with 301 wickets at 24.66. His haul makes him the third most successful left-arm spinner in shield history behind Englishman Tony Lock and Victorian Ray Bright.